Urban Boutique Hotel Boracay: A Tailor-Fit Island Experience

Urban Boutique Hotel is a relatively new hotel slash bed-and-breakfast in Boracay situated in Bulabog. Opened in November 2017, Urban is a charming accommodation choice tailored for travelers looking for a quiet space away from the crowds, while maintaining easy access to the beach and to the main highway. Featuring 14 beautifully designed rooms, the hotel offers a relaxing respite from the busy and sometimes maddening activity of the island—and its appeal stands out from the rest of the typical, and oftentimes identical, options in Boracay.

I first saw Urban last June when my friends and I went to Mad Monkey Hostel to grab a few beers. With its black façade accentuated by wood, Urban certainly turns heads; my first thought was, “I wonder how it looks inside”. When I heard that it’s owned by the same folks from Zuzuni, I knew it was going to be another unique and beautiful concept, and I got even more psyched to stay there!

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about small hotels with solid concepts and distinctive characters that always attract me. If you’re looking for an accommodation with a huge pool, a spa, and all that jazz, this is not for you. But if you seek cozy spaces and personalized service, read on.

The Location

Surprisingly, even if the hotel is a short walk away from Mad Monkey (a.k.a. THE party hostel), we could barely hear any noise at night. It’s also two blocks away from the highway, so there were no loud sounds from vehicles to disturb our sleep.

Urban sits halfway through Bulabog Beach and White Beach, so whether you’re keen to do some kitesurfing and diving or looking to swim, drink, eat, and try water activities in the main beach—you’re all good.

The Rooms

Entering Urban Boutique Hotel gave me a lot of different impressions: minimalist. Zen. Hipster. Modern. Designer. Chic. And you know what? All of them are correct. From the bamboo panels leading to the main entryway and the rows of plants lined up along the walkway, to the industrial-style interiors and compact guestrooms, all the elements tell you that the owners spent a lot of time making sure it’s going to look perfect.

Our room is fantastic—a Standard Room (check rates) equipped with a Queen bed and a double bed, a work desk, a flat-screen smart TV, and an en suite bathroom. I can’t tell you enough how much I love the interiors and the color scheme. Black walls? You bet. White sheets against wooden touches, check. Rugged ceiling and flooring? They just make the room all the more endearing. This is going to be my next bedroom design inspiration!

The beds sit on an elevated wooden platform, very Japanese-inspired. Pillows of varying sizes and senso-memory mattresses ensure undisturbed sleep. I can already imagine transforming my own room into something like this—drawers underneath, book shelves around … but of course, I am retaining that black wall!

Below is also a Standard Room, just with a different orientation.

The bathroom, while small, is beautiful and well-appointed, with a sink, a toilet with bidet, and a hot and cold shower. Toiletries and towels are supplied as well.

Other features of the room include an electronic safe and complimentary Wi-Fi access. You may request for a water kettle and a hair dryer if you wish. There is no phone and no fridge—just all the essentials.

I also got to take a peek into the bigger Premier Room, which can accommodate up to four people. The same elements are there, except for an extra double bed. Scroll down for more photos and click here for the room rates.

Urban Boutique Hotel’s full-service restaurant is still in the works, but the downstairs dining area does serve breakfast to checked-in guests. First things first: the interiors. Here we go again. I would like a kitchen with an adjoining bar just like this! Black and white walls, wooden beams, a metal ceiling, and concrete flooring make up the space. Everything just blends together—down to the low-hanging lamps, strings of light bulbs, chairs and tables, ceiling fans, and pops of color from potted plants. It just invites you to lounge around and chill!

The breakfast options are composed of Filipino and American plates. I got myself some Bacon with Eggs and Fried Rice while my brother chose the Chicken Tapa. We both got some freshly made coffee and shared a bowl of fruits for dessert.

Best thing about their breakfast? They serve it until 3:00PM—perfect for partygoers and late risers like myself! When you’re in the party island of the Philippines and you have just hit the sheets at 4:00AM (okay, 5:00AM), you don’t want to wake up at ten just to get breakfast. You’re awesome, Urban!

A Tailor-Fit Experience at Urban Boutique Hotel

It’s easy to get lost when trying to choose a hotel for your Boracay trip—and believe me, even though it’s my 9th time in the island, I still feel that when the host of options spring up on my screen. Having tried a variety of accommodations here, I feel confident whenever I recommend something to a friend or even just to a fellow traveler who needs tips on where to stay.

Choose Urban Boutique Hotel if you’re crazy for hotels with impeccable vibes and tasteful designs. If you don’t mind staying in a non-beachfront hotel, check it out because its location is within a short distance from White Beach, and from the highway where you can get a tricycle to take you wherever you want to go. If you’re looking for bespoke service and for something different from what the big-brand hotels offer, the way to go is boutique—and while they may not always satisfy your other experiential needs like spas, tours, or food explorations, that’s exactly why you are in an island with seemingly endless options.